When beauty queen Emily Shephard suffered a stroke and had to learn to walk again she never imagined that six months later she would be preparing to strut down the catwalk.

When beauty queen Emily Shephard suffered a stroke and had to learn to walk again she never imagined that six months later she would be preparing to strut down the catwalk.

Emily was just 18 and on the trip of a lifetime in America when she collapsed and temporarily lost her sight.

After being rushed to hospital doctors told her she had suffered a stress-related stroke and would have to learn to walk again.

Six months on, she still suffers from pins and needles down her left hand side, but winning the Miss Torfaen title means she is now striving to take part in the final of the Miss Wales competition in March.

“I had been bullied and have always had quite a stressed home life, but I was loving being away in America, working on camp for children with special needs,” said Emily, from Pontnewydd.

Since returning home and winning the title, she’s received lots of support and attends a support group run by the Stroke Association.

“Emily’s story is incredibly moving and it is wonderful that she is making such a good recovery,” says Lowri Griffiths, head of communications for the Stroke Association.

“But her experiences show that stroke is not just something that happens to older people, it can happen to anyone at any time.

“Raising awareness in this particular area is incredibly important to us and it is vital that we push for improved treatment options and research for children and younger people who have a stroke.

“We need a better focus on the longer term and community needs of young adults who have survived a stroke, only then can we dispel the myth that stroke is only something that happens to the older generation.”

Meanwhile, Emily is aiming to get better and is planning to return to America next summer.

“I hadn’t really wanted to come home from America, but winning the Miss Torfaen gave me the chance to show what I can achieve and the boost I needed,” says Emily, who works as a carer.

“I realise I am very lucky and have not been as badly affected by the stroke as some people are. I am really looking forward to the finals of Miss Wales and have lots going on with the title. I can’t believe that I am going from being bed bound to strutting my stuff on the catwalk in March.”

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